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Notes: Mariners shut down pitching prospect

Seattle pitching prospect Taijuan Walker was shut down for at least a week after exams revealed inflammation in the bursa of his right shoulder.Tony Gutierrez/Associated Press

Taijuan Walker’s ascension to a spot in the Seattle Mariners’ rotation is on hold.

The Mariners shut down their top pitching prospect for at least one week on Friday after exams revealed inflammation in the bursa of his right shoulder. Seattle manager Lloyd McClendon said the decision was made after Walker flew to Los Angeles to get a second opinion on the sore shoulder that has limited him during spring training.

‘‘It definitely [stinks],’’ Walker said. ‘‘I feel good about the situation. I'd rather not push it and fight through something and make it worse. I'm just going to take the time off, get healthy and move on.’’

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The 21-year-old Walker was examined by Dr. Neal ElAttrache in Los Angeles Thursday. For now it appears to be a minor setback.

But Walker was being counted on by Seattle to be in its rotation and answer at least one question behind ace Felix Hernandez and American League Cy Young finalist Hisashi Iwakuma.

Even Iwakuma’s status is a bit of an unknown as he won’t throw for at least three weeks. Iwakuma was re-evaluated by Dr. Don Sheridan and he recommended keeping Iwakuma’s right middle finger in a splint before he begins throwing.

Fellow top pitching prospect James Paxton retired all six batters as the Mariners beat the San Diego Padres, 12-1, on Friday in Cactus League action.

Tanaka plan outlined

Masahiro Tanaka could make his first regular-season start in the Yankees’ third or fourth game.

Yankees manager Joe Girardi said ‘‘I think that’s pretty safe to say’’ the righthander will start game three or four.

Tanaka is set to make his first spring training appearance Saturday against Philadelphia in Tampa. He is expected to throw two innings.

Iglesias sidelined

The Tigers’ Jose Iglesias is expected to be out for about a week because of a recurring stress reaction in his shins. Iglesias was aquired from Boston before the trade deadline . . . Dodgers pitcher Zack Greinke was scheduled to undergo treatment after straining his right calf after four pitches during his first spring training start. Manager Don Mattingly was hopeful Greinke could throw a scheduled bullpen session Saturday . . . Mets lefty Jon Niese said the discomfort in his throwing shoulder probably stems from focusing too much on strengthening his rotator cuff and neglecting other areas.

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Trout shows worth

In spring training action: Mike Trout wasted little time in showing off his million-dollar swing. The young star hit a grand slam and drove in five runs in the Angels’ 15-3 win over the visiting Cubs. Trout agreed Wednesday to a $1 million, one-year deal . . . Max Scherzer allowed a second-inning homer to Yankees newcomer Brian McCann, but the AL Cy Young winner was otherwise sharp, yielding only that one hit in the Tigers’ split-squad 7-4 loss to the visiting Yankees . . . Reigning NL Rookie of the Year Jose Fernandez struck out two in two scoreless innings to help Miami beat the host Cardinals, 5-4 . . . Former Red Sox Franklin Morales pitched two shutout innings and the Rockies beat the host Diamondbacks, 11-0.